Lecture 5 East Asia: Geopolitics and Economic and Social Development Geography themes

Geopolitics
 Which dynasty in China was the most important in its unification and connection to the world?

 What are some of the history associated with the Tokugawa Shogunate?

 What are the reasons that lead to the decline of the Ming dynasty?

 What is the Opium War? What were some of its consequences? Which European power got Hong Kong?
Which European country got Macao?

 What is “Gunboat Diplomacy”? What were some of its influences in Japan?

 What were some of the legacies regarding the Japanese empire in East Asia?

 Who were the leaders in China during its revolution? How did these leaders’ influences still affect the
relationship between China and Taiwan?

 What was the “Cultural Revolution” in China?

 What is the name of the Chinese leader who started liberalizing the economy of China?

 What are the current conflicts: A) regarding North and South Korea? B) China and Taiwan? C) Japan and
China? D) Which countries are involved in the Kuril Islands conflict?

Economic and Social Development

 What are the advantages that lead to the economic rise of Japan after World War II?

 What is the Keiretsu system?

 Why did the Japanese economy enter a recession during the 1990s?

 What is the Great Leap Forward? What are some of its consequences?

 What are the “Special Economic Zones” of China? What has been their effect?

 What are some of the challenges that China faces due to its economic growth?

 Who are the Ainu? Who are the Burakumin or Eta? In which country do these minorities reside?

 What was and is the position of women in East Asia like?